Southwestern Illinois Avoids Disaster On Lillard’s Put Back At The Buzzer

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Belleville, IL – Tied at 65 and :16 on the game clock, SWIC had the ball for a chance to win. The Trailblazers dialed the right number defensively, forcing Luke Davis to take a closely guarded 15 foot left elbow shot as time was winding down. Davis’ shot was short (possibly partially blocked), but fortunately for the home team, the ball fell right into hands of Von Lillard, who’s put back barely beat the buzzer saving the game.

Southestern Illinois College had a comfortable 17 point lead 30 seconds before the end of the first half. Visiting Lewis & Clark CC put together a little run to pull within thirteen, 39-26 heading to break.

Little did anybody realize that small run at the conclusion of the first half was the start of something big for the Trailblazers. Over he last thirty ticks in the first period, and the first nine minutes of the second, the ‘Blazers outscored SWIC 27-9, taking a brief 49-48 lead of their own.

While SWIC was struggling to score, they watched their big first half lead completely disappear when the Blazer’s Kevin McCoy’s triple splashed home nine minutes into the second period.

For the rest of the game, the score flipped a couple of times, but the game was never more than a two possession game. It was basically anybody’s for the taking.

Down by three with :18 ticks remaining, L&C’s NaVuan Peterson drilled a left corner three, tying the game at 65, ultimately setting up Lillard’s heroics.

With the win, Southeastern upgrades to 18-2 overall, 6-2 in region play, one game behind John A. Logan.

Topping the scoresheet for SWIC was Mario Fleming totaling 23. Lillard finished with 11 and 6 rebounds. Jaquias Franklin contributed ten points to accompany 6 dishes. Davis was a beast on the boards, grabbing 11.

Lewis & Clark dips to 4-11. The Trailblazers are not in the Great Rivers Athletic Conference, but do compete in the Region 24/Central District Post Season Tournament.

Guiding the Blazers was Damarion Shanklin with 14, Peterson put in 12 with 7 boards, La’Terion White completed play with 10.

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